The Chamsuri Class patrol craft was developed by Korea Tacoma Marine Industries. The boats first entered service with the Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN) in the 1970s. The craft are built by Korea Tacoma Marine, Hyundai Heavy Industries and Hanjin Heavy Industries.
Chamsuri Class boats are also known as Patrol Killer Medium (PKM) craft. The boats were built in two batches known as the 201 series and the 301 series. In addition to the ROKN, the patrol boats are also in service with the Bangladesh Navy, Kazakhstan Navy and the Philippine Navy.
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The Bangladesh Navy is currently operating four boats (renamed Titas Class), which were transferred from South Korea. The first two boats were recommissioned in May 2000 and the remaining two in October 2004.
Kazakhstan currently operates three boats designated as 031 Class craft. These were transferred to Kazakhstan from ROKN.
South Korea has also transferred seven patrol craft to the Philippine Navy. The first batch of five boats were delivered in 1995 and a second batch of two craft were transferred in 2006. The Philippine Navy boats are designated as the Tomas Batillo Class. These boats are deployed to protect the Malampaya natural gas platforms near Palawan.
ROKN plans to completely replace the Chamsuri Class patrol boats with the new Gumdoksuri Class patrol vessels by 2015.
Chamsuri Class patrol craft design
The patrol boat design incorporates a typical planing hull, designed to improve the patrol and interdiction capabilities of the vessel. The boat features a strong shock-absorbing body structure to withstand ramming damage. It has an overall length of 37m, a maximum beam of 6.9m and a draught of 2m. The displacement of the boat is 148t. The superstructure of the latter models was slightly modified.
The air-conditioned operational and accommodation areas of the craft are well equipped to enhance the operational efficiency and crew comfort. The craft’s living area can accommodate over 30 crew members, including a commanding officer, four officers and 20 ratings. The craft can be easily maintained and operated by few crew members.
Fast patrol boat missions
The fast patrol boat can be deployed in a range of missions including the surveillance of shipping in the exclusive economic zones and national territorial waters, illegal fishery surveillance, smuggling surveillance, fast strike against hostile naval forces, naval gun fire support and enforcement patrol.
Chamsuri Class craft guns
The armament of the Chamsuri Class is variable and available in several configurations. The boats were fitted with an Emerlec turret housing two 30mm extended cannons on the bow.
A 40mm Bofors cannon is available on an open mount at the stern. The boats can also be fitted with a 20mm Vulcan automatic cannon and 0.50 calibre machine guns at other positions of the boat.
The new models are equipped with 40mm Bofors cover-type cannons at the bow, replacing the 30mm cannons. The optical aiming systems were replaced with an automated fire control system (FCS).
PKM Class patrol craft countermeasures
The craft is equipped with a KDAGAIE Mk2 anti missile decoy system. The system launches electromagnetic or infrared decoys to deceive the guided missile and protects the craft against attacked missiles. The decoy system consists of electronic warfare equipment, a combat system, an anemoscope or anemometer and a gyro.
Sensors / radars
The Chamsuri Class craft is equipped with a SPS-100k surface-search radar from STX RadarSys, a CEROS fire radar and optronic tracking system developed by Saab. The system is interfaced to gun systems to provide defence against sea-skimming missiles and surface threats in littoral environments.
Patrol craft propulsion system
The ship is equipped with a combined diesel and gas (CODAG) propulsion system. It is propelled by two MTU MD 16V 538 TB90 diesel engines driving fixed pitch propellers through two shafts. The engines deliver a propulsion power of 6,000hp. The propulsion system provides a maximum speed of 37kt and a range of 600nm at 20kt.
